For many fans, the question of which version of Fullmetal Alchemist is better—the original 2003 anime series or its 2009 remake series Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood—has become a topic of heated debate. With both renditions offering nuanced stories that are almost entirely different from one another in concept and execution, what can one say definitively about the differences between them? One thing is for sure; each series has dedicated followers who champion their preferred adaptation as being far superior to the other. In this blog post, we’ll be taking an in-depth look at how 2003’s Fullmetal Alchemist and its 2010 redo, Brotherhood, compare and contrast to help provide some clarity on this long-standing argument.
What is Fullmetal Alchemist?
- Fullmetal Alchemist is a Japanese manga and anime series that follows the story of two young alchemists, Edward and Alphonse Elric. Set in a fictional universe full of magic and science, Fullmetal Alchemist follows the brothers’ quest to restore their bodies using alchemy.
- Fullmetal Alchemist explores serious themes such as loss, justice, faith, and society’s boundaries through episodes filled with action and suspense. Since its initial debut in 2001, Fullmetal Alchemist has grown to become one of the most iconic franchises in Japan with its popularity further extending abroad.
- Fullmetal Alchemist is admired for melding strong characters with gripping narrative arcs without compromising on quality storylines; fans are always left begging for more!
What is Fullmetal Alchemist Brotherhood?
- Fullmetal Alchemist Brotherhood is an acclaimed anime series based on the popular manga series Fullmetal Alchemist by Hiromu Aaraki. It follows the story of two brothers, Edward and Alphonse Elric, whose bodies are changed forever after an attempt to bring their mother back from the dead.
- As they travel throughout a strange and dangerous realm called Amestris and struggle to restore their original bodies, the brothers must also battle enemies and ancient forces in an effort to fix their mistakes.
- Fullmetal Alchemist Brotherhood has captivated viewers for over a decade with its gripping plot, dynamic characters, and memorable moments. With elements of fantasy mixed with action-packed fight sequences, Fullmetal Alchemist Brotherhood is a timeless classic that has become one of the most beloved animated shows of all time.
Difference between Fullmetal Alchemist and Brotherhood
Fullmetal Alchemist and Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood tell two distinct stories from the same universe.
- Fullmetal Alchemist follows the original manga story arc, while Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood strays away from this source material, instead creating its own alternate storyline based off of the Full Metal Alchemist universe.
- Fullmetal Alchemist carries a much darker tone with heavy themes of death and loss, often forgoing comedic relief for dramatic elements that make it far more somber.
- Meanwhile, Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood is lighter in nature and places a greater emphasis on comedy and action that captures the imagination of many fans who are drawn to its colorful characters and thrilling plot developments.
Conclusion
Though both are excellent examples of the mecha genre, Fullmetal Alchemist and Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood differ in a few key ways. First, Fullmetal Alchemist features a more light-hearted take on the grim story while Brotherhood is significantly darker. Second, the ending of each anime differs – with Fullmetal Alchemist having a more open-ended conclusion, while Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood has a definitive ending. Finally, the characters grow and change at different rates throughout each series. Ultimately, it comes down to personal preference as to which anime is better.
